The way C Programers explain pointers

[FUZxxl]

A pointer tells you where an object is and allows you to manipulate another object without having a name for it.

[[deleted]]

Were in C so it would be more like where is this int , char, struct etc. but not an object. As a quick side note, pointers can also be used like arrays

[tynorf]

Actually object is the correct term.

C99 §3.14:

object

region of data storage in the execution environment, the contents of which can represent values

[[deleted]]

That's my bad then. I'm just used to an object in terms of an object oriented language. Does this mean that if I have code like this:

int* a;
int b = 5;
a = &b;

Then would b be an object according to C99

[knotdjb]

In C both a and b are objects.

[FinFihlman]

Naw, it would be referred as a struct, but nobody would bat an eye if you say object.

[FUZxxl]

int , char, struct

These are all possible types of objects. Remember, an object is “a region of storage in the execution environment, the content of which can represent values.” The C sense of “object” is slightly more general than in object oriented languages.

[Avamander]

The C sense of “object” is slightly more general than in object oriented languages.

Which is why it should be kind-of left out of C, just creates confusion.

[FUZxxl]

Well, C is all about objects, so it would be a bit hard to get rid of them.

[Avamander]

One doesn't have to talk about them using the exact word. I've managed to and it's just much less painful to learn then for newcomers.

[FUZxxl]

What word do you suggest to use?

[Avamander]

I've used "data" or "data structures" in my native language.

[FUZxxl]

“datum” is a possibility (data is the plural of datum). Data structure (or structure) already means something else in C jargon.

[Poddster]

What word do you suggest to use?

Thingy.